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Elementary Schools in Novato, California: Novato schools average 4.5 points above the state — but the range is 41.6 points wide.

Near Average2024–25 data9 schools · avg 49.4/100

Novato, California has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 49.4/100 — 4.5 points above the state average of 44.8. The highest-scoring school is Pleasant Valley Elementary at 66/100, where 38.1% of students exceed the state standard on the 2025 CAASPP assessment. Novato schools average 24.2% exceeded standard (state: 21.3%) — this exceeded-vs-met distinction reveals whether schools push students beyond proficiency or pace toward it. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.7% (below the state average of 17.9%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.

Avg Scope Score
49.4
State avg: 44.8
SchoolScope composite
Score Range
41.6
24.4 – 66.0
Avg Exceeded %
24.2%
State avg: 21.3%
CDE CAASPP 2025
Chronic Absenteeism
8.7%
State avg: 17.9%
CDE Attendance 2025
Schools Ranked
9
With Scope Scores
LevelSchoolsAvg ScoreExceededvs State
Elementary9Developing
49.4/100
24.2%+4.5
High4Developing
45.7/100
14.4%+2.0
Middle2Developing
45.5/100
23.1%+2.8

How Novato schools compare

Novato has 9 ranked elementary schools with an average Scope Score of 49.4/100 — 4.5 points above the state average of 44.8 (CDE CAASPP 2025).

The top-ranked school is Pleasant Valley Elementary with a Scope Score of 66 and 38.1% of students exceeding standard.

These schools are pushing students past the bar, not just to it. Novato schools average 24.2% exceeding standard — well above the statewide average of 21.3%.

Chronic absenteeism in Novato averages 8.7% — below the state average of 17.9%.

How we score · Weighted composite of test performance, growth, and school climate · Full weights on the methodology page

School archetypes in Novato

5 Culture First2 Strong All-Around3 Building Momentum

Archetypes are data-driven labels based on Scope Score dimensions. Learn more

For the data nerds

Every school in Novato

ranked by Scope Score · 2024–25 CAASPP

#SchoolExceededScore
1Pleasant Valley Elementary
Novato Unified Strong All-Around
38.1%Solid
66/100
2San Marin High
Novato Unified Strong All-Around
28.8%Solid
62/100
3San Ramon Elementary
Novato Unified Strong All-Around
33.7%Solid
59/100
4Rancho Elementary
Novato Unified Culture First
36.2%Solid
58/100
5Olive Elementary
Novato Unified Culture First
23.4%Solid
54/100
6Novato Charter
Novato Unified Culture First
22.4%Solid
53/100
7Novato High
Novato Unified Building Momentum
17.9%Solid
53/100
8Sinaloa Middle
Novato Unified Building Momentum
25.6%Solid
52/100
9Loma Verde Elementary
Novato Unified Culture First
22.5%Developing
48/100
10Lynwood Elementary
Novato Unified Building Momentum
16.6%Developing
46/100
11Nova Education Center
Novato Unified Building Momentum
10.9%Developing
44/100
12San Jose Intermediate
Novato Unified Building Momentum
20.5%Developing
39/100
13Lu Sutton Elementary
Novato Unified Culture First
15.7%Developing
36/100
14Hamilton Meadow Park
Novato Unified Building Momentum
9.1%Needs Support
24/100
15Marin Oaks High
Novato Unified Building Momentum
0.0%Needs Support
24/100
Source: CDE CAASPP 2025 · 15 schoolsMethodology · Explore all schools

Data source: California Department of Education · CAASPP 2024-25 · Methodology

Scores are SchoolScope's analysis of public data, not official CDE ratings. They represent one way of interpreting test results and should not be the sole basis for school decisions.

Private Schools in Novato

Private schools don't participate in California's standardized testing (CAASPP) and cannot be scored or ranked. Showing enrollment, student-teacher ratio, and affiliation where available.

Good Shepherd Lutheran School
Latter Day Saints · Grades Pre-K-8 · 186 students
12:1Private
North Bay Christian Academy
Brethren · Grades 9-12 · 26 students
4:1Private
What Scope Scores can't tell you about Novato

Numbers tell you whether students are clearing the bar. A school visit tells you whether they're happy doing it. These metrics are intentionally missing from the Scope Score: class sizes and student-teacher interaction quality; arts, music, athletics, and enrichment programs; teacher experience and turnover; campus safety and social-emotional support; parent and community engagement; quality of special education and gifted programs; how school zones and enrollment boundaries affect access. Full methodology

Frequently asked questions

Are the schools in Novato good?
Novato's 9 ranked elementary schools average a Scope Score of 49.4/100, which is 4.5 points above the state average. 24.2% of students exceed the state standard on average (state average: 21.3%). The Scope Score weights 6 dimensions for elementary schools: exceeded standard (38%), grade 3-to-5 growth (27%), met or exceeded (proficient) (20%), chronic absenteeism (5%), suspension rate (5%), and ELPAC English Learner proficiency (5%). Data source: California Department of Education CAASPP 2025, analyzed by SchoolScope.
What is the best elementary school in Novato?
The highest-scoring elementary school in Novato is Pleasant Valley Elementary with a Scope Score of 66/100 and 38.1% of students exceeding the state standard. Rankings are based on SchoolScope's 2025 Scope Score, which measures academic performance and school climate using publicly available California data. See full methodology.
How do Novato schools compare to the state average?
Novato elementary schools average a Scope Score of 49.4/100 — 4.5 points above the state average of 44.8. The exceeded rate averages 24.2% vs. 21.3% statewide. Chronic absenteeism averages 8.7% vs. 17.9% statewide.
How many schools are in Novato?
Novato has 9 ranked elementary schools with Scope Scores. Schools are ranked using a weighted composite of CAASPP test performance, growth trajectory, chronic absenteeism, and suspension rate. Schools with insufficient testing data are not ranked.
What does the Scope Score measure?
The Scope Score is SchoolScope's proprietary composite rating (0–100) based on seven dimensions of publicly available California school data: the exceeded-vs-met standard split, overall proficiency, grade 3–5 growth, chronic absenteeism, suspension rate, ELPAC English Learner proficiency, and baseline proficiency. Unlike single-number ratings, the Scope Score separates students who "exceeded" from those who "met" the standard — revealing whether a school pushes students beyond proficiency or paces toward it. Full methodology and weights.

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